Ten years ago, Cedric Hunter was selected in the 3rd round of the MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. At the time, he was considered the Padres’ top prospect, but didn’t make his MLB debut until 2011. After five plate appearances in the majors, Hunter spent the next five years back in the minors. With the Philadelphia Phillies having one of the worst online MLB sportsbook odds of making the playoffs, the Phillies took a chance and invited Hunter to spring training.
Hunter took advantage of his second chance to play in the majors and was rewarded by making the Phillies opening day roster. After 4,727 plate appearances in the minors, Hunter was very appreciative of the opportunity.
At 28-years-old, Hunter knows he won’t be getting too many opportunities in the future if he doesn’t perform well this season.
In addition to Hunter, Emmanuel Burriss and James Russell were the three players invited to spring training that made the final team roster.
Hunter told reporters that he was very humbled to have made the final roster. When asked what his expectations were, Hunter said that he was just going to do what the manager required of him and try to help the team out anyway he can.
In the six years Hunter was on the Padres’ minor league roster, he was only called up to the majors once in 2011, and played in six games. He finished the stint with the Padres going 1-4, with a walk and a run.
Since his only appearance in the majors, Hunter bounced around in different minor league systems for the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, and Cleveland Indians. Even though he never got another opportunity to play in the majors, Hunter never gave up because he felt he would eventually get another chance.
According to Hunter, he wasn’t ready for the major leagues when he played for the Padres and didn’t feel like he deserved the shot. Now that he has paid his dues, Hunter believes that he is finally ready to show what he can do because he learned a lot from some great players and is a much better baseball player than he was in 2011.
Hunter’s belief that he is ready to play in the majors was accurate since the Phillies decided to keep him around for the season. In spring training, Hunter finished with a .267 batting average. He hit three home runs and had 12 RBIs in 65 plate appearances. Hunter also had eight extra-base hits, and scored 11runs.
Currently, Odubel Herrera is the only player that has locked up an outfield position, which means Hunter, Peter Bourjos and Tyler Goeddel will all be competing for playing time in the outfield. Hunter might have an edge over his competition because he was better than they were offensively during spring training.
Prior to the start of the season, Hunter said he didn’t if he was a starter or role player. Hunter said he is just happy to be back in the majors and to be playing for the Phillies.
On Monday, Pete Mackanin released his lineup against the Phillies and Hunter will get his first start in the majors batting 6th in the lineup.
